Robert Fripp - 1985-07-19 London, UK (1985)

In 1985 Robert undertook a short tour of UK record shops beginning with Liverpool, followed by a stopover in Manchester for a radio interview, onto York and finally Rough Trade in London. It had been a while since Fripp had undertaken this mix of short pieces and responding to questions from the audience. Musician and producer, Robin Rimbaud, probably better known as Scanner, was in the audience and recorded the music and chat. He recently sent the tape to DGM so it can be shared with a wider audience some thirty-four years after the event.

The music has a pronounced ‘oriental’ feel to it, dominated by a delicate plucked sound that is strongly reminiscent of a koto. For the third piece, Fripp invites suggestions from the audience as to which notes he might play.

In no particular order, along the way while answering questions Robert mentions Guitar Craft, his cricket and rugby career, meeting Hendrix, the philosophy underpinning the making of Three Of A Perfect Pair, his late-night listening habits, his approach to writing music, whether King Crimson can continue without him, the abandoned album with Eno and Scott Walker, the difficulties of working in the UK, did he ever sign an autograph at The Marquee with his left hand; his work with Andy Summers, the state of the English music press, his slinky socks and the possibilities of Toyahtronics!

Robert Fripp - Guitar